(2024-06-03) Chapter XII: Bad News in Blackrock Mountain, Part 1 (Cobalt Blade)

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	The Cobalt Blade heads to a briefing with Moira Thaurissan, and then into Blackrock Mountain after the Morgan's Militia team went in ahead of them. Tadget does not like stealth-ruining dogs. Arthur knows his way around an elemental portal. Zaara is unusually bloodthirsty. Gertrude is no match for Vesyllah. Thalstan just wants to earn goodwill. ~4500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Cobalt Blade

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non-explicit depiction of torture, dungeon-usual violence

The team assembles, ready to head into the dwarven throne room.

[Zaara]: We are here to make impressions on Moira Bronzebeard! Yes?

Vesyllah sighs. "I'll shutup."

[Tadget]: I certainly make impressions on people. Sometimes in the back of the head.

[Thalstan]: Hopefully a good impression. We're meant ta help get forgiveness fer the others. Like Oranna.

[Tadget]: Right, right, fine. So… Ves and I will shut up.
[Tadget]: Wake me when we get to the stabbing part.

[Zaara]: I will make a good impression! We apologize for killing husband first, yes?

[Thalstan]: Alright, no stabbin' in the throne room.
Thalstan tidies his beard and mustache.

[Tadget]: Yes sir.

[Thalstan]: Uh, we could give that a try, aye.
[Thalstan]: Yer majesty, um… Representative Moira Thaurissan?

Moira Thaurissan says: Cobalt Blade.

Tadget bows before Moira Thaurissan.

[Zaara]: Yes! It is us!
Zaara bows before Moira Thaurissan.

Moira looks resigned, but also determined.
Moira Thaurissan says: You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not too fond of your company.

[Tadget]: We had nothing to do with that whole debacle!

[Vesyllah]: We're the new and improved Cobalt.

Moira Thaurissan says: The five of you, no. And I do recognize that Cobalt was simply working for my father, King Magni, at the time.

[Zaara]: We are sorry for that! Also! *Zaara pauses and considers Tadget's remark.* Sorry for this thing other people have done, yes.

Moira raises her eyebrows at all this.
Moira Thaurissan says: I appreciate your apology… on behalf of others. Your company had no reason to disbelieve his telling of events, and it is my regret that I was not able to explain to the strike team before everything devolved into violence.

Tadget looks surprised at the reasonable approach.

Zaara doesn't. She beams. Moira appreciated her apology.

Moira Thaurissan says: Now, I ask you to go into Shadowforge City again, as a new and improved strike team. But this time it will be on my orders.

[Tadget]: Totally.

Zaara salutes Moira Thaurissan with respect.

Tadget salutes Moira Thaurissan with respect.

Moira Thaurissan says: I am not so isolated here as to be ignorant of what's happening in Blackrock Mountain, so I can at least tell you what you're up against.
Moira Thaurissan says: What I’ve heard from my sources is that citizens in Shadowforge City are openly consorting with the Twilight’s Hammer, as well as elemental forces. I want you to put this to an end.

[Tadget]: Yes ma'am!

Moira Thaurissan says: There’s a ringleader of sorts, a senator named Koldan Starkmantle. You’ll need to take him and his allies out, as well as whatever Twilight’s Hammer emissaries you find there.

[Vesyllah]: We're experts at putting an end to Twilight cultists.

[Tadget]: Yep

[Zaara]: Twilight! Oh no. Yes, we will kill them all.
[Zaara]: Very badly.

Tadget covers a smile.

Moira Thaurissan says: I'm pleased to hear it. For once, your company's penchant for killing first and asking questions later will come in handy.

[Tadget]: Right?

[Thalstan]: That's no' exactly… okay.

[Zaara]: Yes! This is our penchant! COBOLT COMPANY.

Tadget pats her daggers and winks at Moira.
Tadget is happy with this reputation.

Moira Thaurissan says: There's one more wrinkle I should mention. I think your Captain will have told you that a team that went in before you. This was ‘Morgan’s Militia’, a local force in the Burning Steppes.

Arthur hops through a portal and nearly trips on his robes trying to get to the group.

Thalstan gestures Art hastily to join the team, and then looks back at Moira as if Art's been here the whole time.

[Tadget]: That's our mage. Excuse him. You know how mages are. But he is really good at killing Twilight Cultists.

[Zaara]: So good!

[Arthur]: Oh yeah, that's true.

Moira Thaurissan says: We Dark Iron dwarves have a great respect for magecraft. They can be eccentric at times.

Tadget nods.

Moira Thaurissan says: As long as he doesn't attempt to summon any fire elementals or curse Ironforge, I'll be happy to use his cultist killing skills.

[Tadget]: We will do zero cursing.

Moira Thaurissan says: So now, let me explain this previous group. This Lady Morgan was a noble of Redridge Mountains, whose lands were destroyed in the dark days, when Ragnaros ruled the Dark Iron dwarves. That was before my time.
Moira Thaurissan says: I’ve an agreement with her people that we will not contest their claims in the Burning Steppes, in return for their assistance with the unrest in Shadowforge City.

Tadget tries not to let on that she is zoning out the talk that doesn't involve murder instructions.

Zaara whispers loudly over her shoulder, "Do not curse Ironforge, Arthur."

Moira Thaurissan says: I only tell you this, so you can deliver a message.
Moira Thaurissan says: If you do find their people in there, please tell them that I accept their good faith effort, and have no intention of stretching my influence south, regardless of their level of success.
Moira Thaurissan says: Honestly, I have my hands full with Ironforge and Blackrock Mountain. I couldn't conquer the Burning Steppes even if I wanted to.

[Tadget]: Valid.

Moira Thaurissan says: If you can ensure their path to safety, I would appreciate that as well. Any questions?

[Tadget]: I am ready to serve Ironforge, ma'am!
Tadget stands at attention and salutes.

[Thalstan]: Aye, me as'well! An' just to be clear, we help ye out, ye'll forgive the ones as went in before, aye?

Tadget narrows her eyes at Thalstan. Don't push it buddy.

Moira narrows her eyes at Thalstan, too. Similar message.

Zaara beams at everyone, since she cannot see all the eye-narrowing. She assumes that's a yes.

[Tadget]: Look, if someone killed Finn, I'd never forgive 'em. No matter how much their friends helped me.

Moira Thaurissan says: I'll just say that this will go a long way towards helping your people and mine put the past behind us.

[Vesyllah]: Fair enough.

[Tadget]: Very generous of you, Queen-Regent of the Dark Iron clan. You're a bigger woman than I. In various senses of the phrase.

Moira Thaurissan says: And I would not take action against an ally, forgiven or not.

Tadget thanks Moira Thaurissan.

Moira Thaurissan says: For you, gnome, I trust to your smallness, to help you slip through the shadows of my capital and destroy our mutual enemies.

[Tadget]: Oh yes, definitely trust that.
Tadget grins wickedly.

Moira Thaurissan says: Dismissed, Cobalt Blade. I hope you return with good news.

[Vesyllah]: Got to admit, she's pretty damn reasonable considering what happened. Maybe they should have just let her be in charge.

[Tadget]: Right?
[Tadget]: I'm kinda into her.

[Thalstan]: She is rather nice lookin', I admit.
[Thalstan]: But I'm also glad we've got Muradin in there.

We arrive at the gryphon master.

[Thalstan]: To the Iron Summit?

[Arthur]: Yeah!

[Tadget]: 'Kay.

[Vesyllah]: Mmhm.

We land at the Iron Summit.

[Thalstan]: Alright, now we go inta Blackrock Mountain. The letter mentioned we’d all have other tasks too. What all are you doing?

[Tadget]: That's classified.

[Thalstan]: Is it? Cause SI:7 asked me ta do somethin' too.

[Tadget]: I'm… just gonna leave Tailwind here.
[Tadget]: SI:7 asked YOU to do something? You???

[Thalstan]: Aye, Mayhem.
[Thalstan]: Why're you so surprised?

[Tadget]: Uh… because you are not… subtle. You make ME look subtle.

[Thalstan]: It's no' so much a spyin' thing they wanted from me.

[Tadget]: Oh. I guess sometimes they can use brute strength too, then?

[Thalstan]: They've said the Twilight's Hammer an' the Dark Irons are plannin' up an attack. I'm mean ta steal their plans.

[Tadget]: Stealing, huh?

[Tadget]: Neat!

[Thalstan]: An' smashin' up some fireguards.

[Tadget]: Smashing sounds more like you

[Thalstan]: And killin' the general.
[Thalstan]: Yeah.

[Tadget]: Smashing and killing.
[Thalstan]: I reckon the stealin' will be off his body.

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

[Vesyllah]: Curious. My order has commanded me to locate and destroy the propaganda materials the Hammer is using to convert Dark Irons.

[Thalstan]: Oh, that's a valuable task, Ves.

[Zaara]: The Earthen Ring ask me to free some fire elementals!

[Thalstan]: Freein' fire elementals? Is tha' safe?

[Vesyllah]: Let's hope they're grateful.

[Zaara]: It is more safe than letting them to be slaves to the Dark Irons.

[Tadget]: Good point, Booty.

[Thalstan]: I suppose that must be true.

[Thalstan]: And Mayhem wants ta keep it secret, Art, you got any tasks in there?

[Arthur]: I'm supposed to get a book.

[Tadget]: Of course. Nerd.

[Thalstan]: A book?

[Arthur]: Yeah. A Grimoire. Actually, I'm looking for this man.

[Thalstan]: Hmm, a grimoire…

We see a rather cute green-haired gnomish woman.

[Tadget]: Well hello there.

Jalinda Sprig says: Oh, hi! You leading a team in here? *Jalinda addresses Tadget, assuming the gnome is in charge*

Vesyllah snorts in amusement.

[Tadget]: Yes'm.
Tadget is totally incharge now.

Jalinda Sprig says: What are you doing here?

[Zaara]: Killing!

[Tadget]: Former 7th Legion, currently Cobalt Blade. We're doing a lot of stuff in here. Helping out Moira Thaurissan.

[Thalstan]: Oh, are you with Morgan's Militia?

[Tadget]: We can help each other, I'm sure.
[Tadget]: Yes, we were told to look for Morgan's people.

Jalinda straightens proudly. "I AM!"

[Tadget]: Cool. Whatcha need us to do?
[Tadget]: We're kinda the muscle. Also brains. And beauty. We're all of it.

Jalinda Sprig says: Look, we would've gotten this place under control eventually, but far be it from me to turn down backup.
Jalinda Sprig says: At the moment, our people are scattered all over this place.

[Tadget]: We're happy to help move things along.

Jalinda Sprig says: Kevin's infiltrating the Dark Iron prison, and you can see Oralius over there. He's waiting to see if Seymour, Mayara, Orfus and Maxwell come back from the upper city.
Jalinda Sprig says: And the goblins, ugh. I don't even know. Goblins get everywhere, not sure what they're doing here.

Tadget giggles at Jalinda Sprig.

[Thalstan]: What should we do to help?

[Tadget]: Need us to find someone?

Jalinda Sprig says: Maybe you could go check on Kevin? He hasn't been back in a while, and I'm really hoping the torturers didn't get him.

[Tadget]: Got a description?
[Tadget]: Sounds human. "Kevin."

[Zaara]: Kevvvvvvvvin.

[Tadget]: We'll check for a human at the prison, no problem.

[Thalstan]: What brings goblins to Shadowforge City?

Tadget mutters 'money, i'm guessing…'

Tinkee Steamboil says: Exploration! Exploration often leads to profits. Especially if you explore areas that seem about to fall into a civil war.

[Tadget]: Uh huh.

[Thalstan]: Sure. What're you exploring?

Tinkee Steamboil says: Look, we found this massive gate, and we're all just dying to see what's behind it.

[Tadget]: Understandable.
[Tadget]: Does it need unlocking? I'm good at unlocking.

Tinkee Steamboil says: There's like, a giant burning rock monster guarding it though, or we would've exploded it by now.
Tinkee Steamboil says: Or unlocked, sure, you gnomes love unlocking things instead of exploding them. I always forget.

[Tadget]: Oh.
[Tadget]: I am also pretty good at giant burning rock monsters.

Tinkee Steamboil says: Anyway, no idea what's back there. A whole other half of the city, treasure beyond our greatest imagination, nothing at all… the possibilities are endless.

[Tadget]: I killed a god once. That rock monster's history. Then you can blow up the gate or unlock it or whatever.

Tinkee Steamboil says: Awesome. You seem like a good sort.

Tadget nods at Tinkee Steamboil.
[Tadget]: Of course!

[Thalstan]: Alright, rock monster and we've got ta go find Kevin first.
[Thalstan]: That's probably more urgent, in case he's gettin' tortured.

Tadget slips into the shadows.

Vesyllah wraps herself in shadows.

[Thalstan]: Okay, to the prison.

Tadget glares angrily at Bloodhound.

[Tadget]: Ugh, I hate dogs.

The team arrives at the detention area.

Tortured Slave groans.

[Thalstan]: Oh look! I see a human!

Tadget eyes Kevin Dawson up and down.

[Thalstan]: Let's kill those guards nearby before we talk to 'im.

[Tadget]: That's gotta be our guy, yeah.

We kill the nearby guards, just to be safe.

Tadget waves at Kevin Dawson.
[Tadget]: You okay there, guy?

[Zaara]: You okay guy?

Kevin Dawson says: Somehow, yeah.
Kevin Dawson says: I don't know how I'm still alive.
Kevin Dawson says: I expect any moment for one of these patrols to notice me and attack. Are you here to help?

[Tadget]: The green-haired gnome sent us.

[Thalstan]: Yer stealth could use some work, lad.

Tadget giggles at Thalstan.

Kevin Dawson says: Jalinda? Oh thank the Light.

[Tadget]: Jalinda, yep.

Kevin Dawson says: She sent me to infiltrate the prison, and I have, but then I just got kind of pinned in here.

[Tadget]: You don't say.

Kevin Dawson says: Let me tell you what I know, in case I don't make it out - there are Twilight's Hammer members here, living openly in Blackrock Depths!

Arthur looks behind him. "We cleared the way a bit, if you wanna scamper."

[Tadget]: We're expert way-clearers.

Kevin peers back towards the entrance hopefully.

[Thalstan]: And aye, we knew about the Twilight's Hammer.

Kevin Dawson says: Oh, dang. That was my big news.

[Arthur]: It's all right. It just means that your teamwork worked.

Thalstan nods reassuringly, agreeing with Art's words.

Kevin Dawson says: Well, anyway, I don't know how many there are crawling throughout this place, but I did hear that their lead interrogator, Gertrude, is in this hallway.

[Vesyllah]: Gertrude? She needs a more intimidating name.

[Tadget]: I'm surprised she doesn't go by DEATHTONGUE or something, these cultists tend to like drama.

[Thalstan]: Aye, Gertrude's a right ordinary name.

Kevin Dawson says: I couldn't get close enough to hear what she was asking about, but maybe you can!

[Tadget]: I can do some scouting, if we need to be subtle about it.
[Tadget]: Or I can murder her if we don't.

[Thalstan]: Let's work our way a bit closer, then you can sneak in, Mayhem.
[Thalstan]: And then we murder, after the information.

We work our way closer to the interrogator. Violently.

Vesyllah 's psychic scream of agony echoes in the minds of those nearby.

[Thalstan]: These fellas do like ta run, don't they?

[Tadget]: I might have to do a little special poison on 'em…
Tadget grins wickedly.

The next group does not succeed at running.

[Tadget]: That's better.

[Vesyllah]: Give me a few minutes with this Gertrude. I'll show her a thing or two about interrogation.

[Thalstan]: Heh, I bet ye could, but I'm still opposed ta torture, Vengeance.
[Thalstan]: Let's try stealth.

Tadget salutes Thalstan with respect.

[Vesyllah]: There is a fine line between torture and coercion.

[Thalstan]: And I say we clear out these Twilight's Hammer along the way.

[Zaara]: We kill them.

We do, indeed, kill them.

[Thalstan]: Okay, I think this is you up ahead, Mayhem.

Tadget nods and slips into the shadows.
Tadget hides behind one of the tall chairs.

High Interrogator Gertrude says: Just tell me what you know! This can all end.

High Alchemist says: I did not know what you were using my research for, and if I did, I never would have helped!
High Alchemist says: AAAAHH!

Vesyllah tenses.

Tadget makes a thumbs up sign to her friends farther back in the hallway to indicate that she's getting good dirt.

High Interrogator Gertrude says: How could you not know? And now the Seed is destroyed! The only one who knows how to remake it is you.

Tadget makes a more frantic thumbs up sign to indicate that she is getting REALLY good dirt.

High Alchemist says: Never! I'll not help you usher in the end of the world, even if I could!

High Interrogator Gertrude says: Hah. That's what you say now. Give it a few more days.

Thalstan waits nervously for Tadget.

[Tadget]: *whispering* Okay so… she's interrogating a guy who knows how to remake the Seed of Eternal Endings. She is pissed that it got destroyed. He refuses to help her end the world.

[Zaara]: That is good of him!

Arthur gulps. "Oh."

[Thalstan]: Surprisingly good, if he knows how to make such a thing.

[Tadget]: Imagine how she'll feel when the people who destroyed it turn up.
Tadget grins wickedly.

Vesyllah snarls. "Just let me look her in the eyes."

Thalstan lets out a hearty chuckle.
[Thalstan]: We'll free that fella and end her.

[Tadget]: 'Kay.

[Thalstan]: And aye, Ves, you can look 'er in the eye.
[Thalstan]: Everyone ready?

Tadget lets everyone know that she is ready!

[Arthur]: Yeah.

We engage the interrogator and her guard team. She has guard dogs and Twilight guards that inflict fear on the team. It is chaos.

[Tadget]: DAMN DOGS
[Tadget]: NOT A FAN OF YOU, LADY.

Vesyllah projects abject horror into the minds of her foes.

The feeling seems to be mutual, Gertrude is not a fan of Cobalt Blade. She falls.

Vesyllah kneels over the fallen Gertrude.

Tadget kicks her.

Vesyllah grips her face as the woman gasps her last few breaths, and stares deep into her eyes. "Feel the pain you have inflicted!" Gertrude's face turns to an expression of sheer horror as she slips away.

High Alchemist says: Thank you, whoever you are! I'm out.

The High Alchemist flees.

Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.

Arthur looks conflicted.

[Thalstan]: I feel like that was justice, Ves.

[Tadget]: Justice!

Thalstan nods at her approvingly.

Vesyllah nods grimly. "Perhaps you're finally beginning to understand me."

[Tadget]: I hope I never have to feel all the pain I've inflicted. That would be quite painful.

[Vesyllah]: Inflict pain on the deserving, and hopefully you never will.

[Thalstan]: Ye're not a torturer, Tadget.

Tadget does not confirm or deny.

We head out of the interrogation chamber.

[Thalstan]: Oi, Kevin!

Kevin Dawson says: Did you find out what they're after?

[Tadget]: The end of the world.
[Tadget]: As usual.

[Thalstan]: Uh, I think it's above your clearance, Kev.

[Tadget]: Oh uh, I mean, yeah, what he said.

Zaara giggles.

Kevin sighs. "Well, at least I can get out of here now. And you'll report to the authorities."

[Tadget]: WE ARE THE AUTHORITIES.
[Tadget]: MAYHEM IS LAW.
Tadget may have had too much thistle tea.

No one objects, so maybe mayhem is the law. We then move to try to work our way deeper into Shadowforge City.

[Thalstan]: Hmm… not sure how to work our way in here.
[Thalstan]: But any rebels we take out'll help.

[Tadget]: Kill everything.

[Zaara]: Fires!

We come up to a group of several guards and a likely enslaved fire elemental.

[Thalstan]: Aye!

[Tadget]: Oh, let Booty do her thang.

[Thalstan]: Are these the one yer meant ta free?

[Tadget]: I'll focus on the guards.

We fight the guards, while Zaara tries to free the fire elemental.

[Thalstan]: Freeable?

[Zaara]: Their anger is too strong with all of these near them.

[Tadget]: Bummer.

We solve the problem by killing everything. Now there is no one near them.

The Fireguard's Essence flickers warmly, granting a portion of its power to Zaara in thanks.

Tadget cheers at Zaara!
[Tadget]: You calmed it!!

[Thalstan]: Oh ye freed 'em?
[Thalstan]: I see some more down round this circle.

[Zaara]: When they all are dead it can be soothed. Too angry with the dwarfs around it.
[Zaara]: So I think we must kill all of the things.

[Thalstan]: I'm on board wi' that.

[Vesyllah]: Not a problem.

The Fireguard's Essence flickers warmly, granting a portion of its power to Zaara in thanks.

Tadget cheers at Zaara!

Zaara sighs with relief.

We arrive at a nice little picture window into the cavernous lava-filled expanse of the interior of Blackrock Mountain.

[Tadget]: Oooooh.
[Tadget]: Nice view.

[Thalstan]: This place is right lovely at times.

We are then attacked by dogs.

Tadget glares angrily at Bloodhound.
[Tadget]: Those dogs are really messing up my stealth plans.

[Thalstan]: They can see ye?

[Tadget]: Smell me.
[Tadget]: Unfortunately even the best trained scout is no match for dogs.
[Tadget]: Nothing we can do about how we smell because we're, you know, alive.

[Thalstan]: Oh aye. And let's not change that part, that'd ruin the whole point.

Zaara frees a few more fire elementals.

[Thalstan]: How many elementals are ye meant ta free, Booty?

[Tadget]: As many as she can, I'd figure.

[Zaara]: Yes! But I think the totem will not be strong much longer.

[Tadget]: Awww.

[Thalstan]: That's all the ones I see 'round this area.

[Zaara]: It flickers now. Perhaps I can use for one or two more?

[Tadget]: We'll keep an eye out.

As we continue around, prisoners start fleeing past us towards the entrance.

[Tadget]: Sorry. Freed some prisoners. Easily pickable locks.

Zaara beams at Tadget.

[Thalstan]: Oh, that's a good idea.
We find a chamber full of dogs, and one dwarf walking around with them.

[Tadget]: Oh great. Dog central.

[Thalstan]: Maybe ye can sneak after we take 'em out.

Tadget nods.

[Thalstan]: And that fella, looks like the trainer.

[Tadget]: Oh THAT is the guy I really want.
[Tadget]: Not the dogs' fault they're trained to ruin my life.
[Tadget]: STOP. MAKING. BAD. DOGS.

Tadget is terrifying, and…

Houndmaster Grebmar attempts to run away in fear!

…but we kill him anyway.

[Tadget]: Mkay.
[Tadget]: I feel satisfied now.

Zaara giggles at Tadget.

Tadget tries to pull the levers. They're stuck.

[Thalstan]: Alright. That's that.

Tadget cheers at Thalstan!

We circle around further and find what seems to be an arena of some sort?

[Vesyllah]: I don't like the look of this.

[Tadget]: Whooooa.

[Thalstan]: What do ye spose this is?

[Tadget]: Looks like an arena.

[Thalstan]: Hm

[Tadget]: I've always wanted to be a gladiator.

[Vesyllah]: It feels like we're walking into a trap.

[Thalstan]: I've seen no more sign of those Morgan folk.

We walk in and the door closes behind us.

[Thalstan]: Oh, look. It was a trap.

[Zaara]: Oh! You were right, Vengeance!
Zaara sounds delighted.

A guy called High Justice Grimstone comes in and sentences us to death for… reasons.

[Tadget]: Um, your Queen-Regent might disagree, dude.
Tadget makes a rude gesture at High Justice Grimstone.

[Thalstan]: Look we're here on behalf o' yer queen.

[Vesyllah]: Maybe he didn't get the memo.

We defeat the things he sends to kill us in trial by combat. They are a bunch of bats and then an ogre. The High Justice is displeased with us.

[Zaara]: You say this because you are a bad loser!

Tadget BAAAS.

[Thalstan]: Well. Trap broken.
[Thalstan]: Maybe we can find those other Morgan folk.

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

[Tadget]: I hope they didn't make them gladiate.
Tadget subtly goes over to stand near their food sacks…

[Thalstan]: This is no' a friendly place.
Zaara frees a few last elementals.

The Fireguard's Essence flickers warmly, granting a poriton of its power to Zaara in thanks.

Thalstan takes the hint from Tadget’s hovering, and we attack the nearby guards.

Tadget does nothing whatsoever to the food stores while the guards are distracted.

Nearby is a strange floating obelisk.

[Thalstan]: That floatin' obelisk does no' look dwarvish.
[Thalstan]: I suspect Twilight's Hammer.

[Zaara]: It feels not clean.
Zaara backs away warily.

[Thalstan]: Aye, even I can see that one.

Zaara chuckles. "I did not see it!"

Tadget giggles at Zaara.

Vesyllah snorts.

[Thalstan]: Heh. Feel, then.

We pass through the upper level of the arena, where non-violent Dark Iron dwarves are sitting and milling about.

[Tadget]: Wave at our fans…
Tadget waves.

[Thalstan]: These folk seem friendly enough.

We pass through to another area, in which there are several portal-like structures as well as a number of obelisks. Also, there are a bunch of cultists.

[Thalstan]: Now this is Twilight nonsense for sure.

[Vesyllah]: A portal?

[Thalstan]: Hm, does no' appear ta react ta me.
[Thalstan]: What do you make of it, Zaara?

[Arthur]: A permanent, anchored portal.

[Tadget]: MORE MURDER PLEASE.

[Zaara]: I do not know. It will not speak either to me.

We try to fix the situation by killing the cultists.

[Arthur]: There's another one!
Arthur points over yonder.

Tadget pokes it.

[Thalstan]: An' a third, too.
[Thalstan]: Let's clear this out.

[Vesyllah]: This must be how they're bringing in so many non-dwarves.

We kill a pyromancer, and Arthur checks the body.

[Arthur]: This is the book. Hm.

[Tadget]: Nerd.

[Thalstan]: Hm, the one yer after? Does it say anything about what these obelisks and portals are for?

Arthur opens it and skims. "Oh. Oh dear."
[Arthur]: I think it does.

[Tadget]: I'm sure it's great news.
[Tadget]: Why wouldn't it be?

[Arthur]: The twilight's hammer have another plan. they mostly gave up on the seed. but…
Arthur flips a few more pages.
[Arthur]: Oh.

[Vesyllah]: Oh?

[Arthur]: Oh, that's not good.

[Vesyllah]: Spit it out.

[Zaara]: Arthur! You must say!

Thalstan waits expectantly.

[Arthur]: These portals are anchors, all right. They want to make the elemental plane thin here.

[Tadget]: I'm no nerd, but that sounds bad.

[Zaara]: What???

[Arthur]: It's a world on fire.

Tadget gently pats Zaara.

[Zaara]: But the elemental plane already is fractured! They will weaken it more???

Tadget comforts Zaara.

Zaara puts both fists to her mouth.

[Arthur]: Yeah! I think they probably had a hand in all that already, maybe?

Tadget gently hugs Zaara's shin.

[Thalstan]: This is a real bad plan.

[Vesyllah]: These idiots….

[Thalstan]: Good thing we killed 'em all, aye?

[Vesyllah]: Can we disable these gates?

[Tadget]: Sometimes murder is the best policy.

[Arthur]: I sure hope so.

[Thalstan]: I hope that at least sets 'em back… Art, do ye know how?

[Arthur]: I…okay this might not work.

Tadget looks to Art. She is clueless.

[Zaara]: This will split open everything! The world will be outside in! The planes all smushed!

[Tadget]: Should we like… back up, or…?

Thalstan is also clueless. Disabling elemental gates is beyond him.

Vesyllah speaks a prayer to grant Elune's protection to Art.

Arthur examines the gates, not the swirly portal energy. "Oh. I wonder…"

Tadget hides behind something.

Arthur pulls out a micro-adjuster, loosens a couple of tiny things, and pulls out some crystals. Then he pull out his pick and smashes the structure.

[Thalstan]: That do it? *Thal looks on hopefully.*

[Arthur]: Well! I didn't blow us up, so I think that did it.

Zaara claps her hands together tentatively.

Vesyllah nods. "That'll do."

Tadget cheers at Arthur!

Arthur juggles the little crystals. "Without these? they're useless."

[Thalstan]: Let's go ahead an' report back to Jalinda, even if we've not found all her folk yet.

We make it back to the entrance.
[Thalstan]: Jalinda! Yer guy Kevin come back?

[Tadget]: Poor guy.

Jalinda Sprig says: Yep, safe and sound! Just got to get the others out now.
Jalinda Sprig says: But I think they're further in.

Morgan, meanwhile, stares dramatically off into the distance.

[Thalstan]: Well, we'll set up here with the goblins, and make another foray soon.

Tadget stands next to Morgan imitating her pose and stare.

[Thalstan]: Never fear, I bet yer folk are hidin' just as effectively as Kevin *he doesn't say well, because the guy wasn't hiding well*